The trade for quarterback Alex Smith, it now appears, was only the start for the Chiefs in their plans to rebuild their roster.

They took care of some other key moves in one dramatic day on Monday. They retained three players, first by agreeing to contract terms with wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and punter Dustin Colquitt and then protecting left tackle Branden Albert by designating him as their franchise player.

The Chiefs are required to make Albert a one-year contract offer worth $9.83 million, but by doing so they effectively keep him off the free-agent market.

Retaining Bowe, their leading receiver in each of the past four seasons, was the key maneuver to general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid. The Chiefs were prepared to make Bowe their franchise player for the second straight season until the sides reached an agreement shortly before the NFL’s 4 p.m. Monday deadline.

Either way, the Chiefs weren’t going to let Bowe leave. Terms of his contract, which is reportedly for five years, were unavailable.

“When we first arrived, one of the first items on our agenda was signing Dwayne,” Dorsey said. “He’s been a key player on our offense and is one of the premier players at his position. We are pleased that Dwayne will be a member of this team for years to come.”

Bowe will be 29 in October. The Chiefs have little depth at wide receiver even with Bowe now under contract for the long term, so losing him could have been disastrous.